A1 Slides

Enquire Now

An Expert Answers:
How to Overcome Presentation Anxiety and Persuade Any Audience

Michelle Bowden CSP
Author: Michelle Bowden
  • Category: PRESENTATION

While working in presentation design for the past 15 years, we get a lot of questions from our clients. The questions that they face every time they present, either in a one-on-one setting or in a group (though the rules for both are different), are numerous.

We keep track of these questions and get them answered by top-notch presentation experts. This time we bring an Australian presentation expert’s opinion on these crucial questions. 

Michelle Bowden is a persuasive business presentation expert with clients including Salesforce, TAFE, Hettich, Navitas, Philips, and TCS. 

She has done a number of workshops (1000+ & trained more than 13000 students) on the subject and is a well-known personality on LinkedIn as well. Her belief is that confident, engaging, persuasive presenting or public speaking in business is about a whole lot more than just stagecraft and slide design.  

She does frequent workshops, speaks in seminars, and is actively bringing change to the business world with her presenting and persuading techniques.  

Below are Michelle Bowden’s takes on questions that most of our clients have. 

Question 1: “I’m not good at presenting on stage or one-on-one… but I know my stuff. How do I overcome my hesitation?”

Michelle: 

I hear this all the time. Brilliant professionals—experts in their field—tell me, “Michelle, I know my content back to front. But when it comes to presenting it, I just don’t feel confident. I’m not good at it.” 

If that sounds like you, first of all, please know you’re not alone. It’s not unusual to be a subject matter expert and still struggle to present persuasively in business. And the good news? Presenting is a skill you can absolutely learn and master. 

Let me share a key insight that’s helped thousands of professionals just like you become stand-out communicators… 

Great presenting is about more than just your content.

Most people think, “If I know my subject matter really well, that should be enough, right?” Unfortunately, no. Because persuasive presenting isn’t just about sharing knowledge or dumping data. It’s about tailoring your message in a way that inspires action from your audience. 

So what’s the secret? Follow the winning formula! 

Specifically, there are three key phases to a persuasive presentation:

1. Analysis – Who are you talking to and what do they need?

Before you open PowerPoint or even think about your content, pause and ask: 

  • Who is my audience? 
  • What do they believe right now about this topic? 
  • What matters to them most? 
  • What might they resist or push back on? 

Too often, presenters skip this step and dive straight into their technical knowledge. Your message will only land if you take the time to understand where your audience is starting from emotionally, intellectually, and politically. This phase is where empathy comes in—something I write about often. The better you understand your audience’s mindset, the more persuasive you’ll be. 

2. Design – How are you structuring your message for influence?

Once you’ve analyzed your audience, it’s time to design your message using a proven structure. This is where my 13-step Persuasion Blueprint comes in. It’s the model I teach in every group training and in person, and it works in every industry. Whether you’re updating your team, pitching to the board, or running a client briefing—structure creates clarity. And clarity creates confidence. The right structure ensures your message is audience-focused, logically sound, emotionally intelligent, and results-driven. It gives your ideas the best possible chance of success. 

3. Delivery – How do you come across when you speak?

Now that you’ve planned your message, it’s time to bring it to life. Great delivery is about vocal variety, confident body language, connection, eye contact, gestures, and of course, managing your nerves. Here’s the thing: even if you’re a little shaky on the inside, a few simple delivery strategies (such as direct, connected eye contact) can make a big difference to how your audience perceives you. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection. You don’t need to sound like a newsreader or act like a stand-up comic. You just need to be clear, compelling, and authentic. 

So what’s next?  

If you’re a subject matter expert who wants to finally feel great about the way you present, please know this: 

  • You do not need to be born with the “gift of the gab.” 
  • You do not need to be naturally charismatic. 
  • You just need the right tools and a bit of guidance. 

When you apply a clear structure and learn how to tailor your expertise to the needs of your audience, you’ll go from “I hate presenting” to “I’ve got this!” 

Question 2: How to Own the Room? I want to be charismatic and want to nail the presentation.

Michelle: 

 We’ve all seen it. The presenter who walks into the room and instantly has everyone’s attention. They’re often not the loudest. They’re often not the flashiest. There’s just something about them that says, “This person is worth listening to.” 

That’s called owning the room. And it’s not just for natural-born speakers or confident extroverts. Anyone can learn how to own the room with the right mindset, structure, and support. If you’ve ever wished you could feel more in control, more confident, and more influential when you present, I’ve got great news for you: these skills are completely learnable. 

So let’s dive into three of the most important things you can do to own the room—whether you’re delivering a keynote, pitching to stakeholders, or leading a meeting. 

1. Prepare the right way

Most people prepare by thinking about what they want to say. In fact, that’s not how you own the room. Real impact comes from thinking about what your audience wants or needs from you. 

Ask yourself: 

  • What do they believe about this topic right now? 
  • What do I want them to think/feel/do differently by the end? 
  • What are they worried about? What will excite or reassure them? 

Here’s a quick example. I worked with a senior leader who had to convince the exec team to approve a major system overhaul. Initially, her message was focused on timelines and specs—all from her perspective. After reworking the pitch using my Persuasion Blueprint®, she flipped the focus: she addressed their financial concerns, linked the change to strategic goals, and showed what inaction would cost. The result? Full approval. On the spot. 

2. Design your presentation for them, not for you

Once you’ve got the right intention, it’s time to build the presentation itself. The golden rule is: speak their language. Use the words they use. Refer to their day-to-day challenges. Include examples that feel real for them. 

For example: 

  • If you’re talking to a team of marketers, refer to “brand consistency” and “campaign performance,” not just “data” or “results.” 
  • If you’re addressing farmers, don’t say “digital transformation strategies”—say “practical tools that save time and boost yield.” 

One of my workshop participants once said, “I never realized how often I was speaking in technical jargon instead of just being human.” And that’s the truth! Clarity beats complexity every time. Your slides, your stories, your visuals should all feel like they were designed just for this audience. That’s how you earn trust and attention fast. 

3. Make it a conversation, not a performance

Want to own the room? Then connect with the people in it. The fastest way to lose an audience is to talk at them. The fastest way to win them over is to talk with them. 

That means: 

  • Direct, warm eye contact (yes, even on Zoom and Teams—look right into the lens!). 
  • Let people ask questions or reflect in real time – not after the session is over. 
  • Create moments of interaction: “Turn to the person next to you and share your challenge and then discuss how this theory may assist you” or “Here’s the theory, now please apply it to your context right now.” 

These moments aren’t fluff. They build engagement, buy-in, and retention. When the conversation is two-way, people remember. When your audience has moments to reflect, they internalize and come to conclusions. Or at least some more clever questions. And the best part? You don’t have to be a show pony to do it. Just be curious, warm, and open, and your audience will meet you there. 

Final Thought

Owning the room isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being purposeful. When you prepare with your audience in mind, design your message for their world, and speak with genuine connection, you don’t just present—you persuade. And if you’re ready to stop winging it and start winning people over with your words, I’d love to support you in my next Presentation Skills Training Online. 

Michelle Bowden

Question 3: What Is the Most Persuasive Presentation Technique?

Michelle : 

 After more than 25 years of teaching people how to present persuasively—from executives to analysts, salespeople to scientists—the question I’m asked most often is: “Michelle, what’s the most persuasive presentation technique of all?” 

It’s a great question. And while there are dozens of techniques that work brilliantly when used together, if I had to choose just one that makes the biggest difference? 

It’s empathy. 

Now before you roll your eyes and say, “Of course she said empathy,” let me explain why it’s the secret weapon in persuasive presenting—and how you can use it to change the way people respond to you when you present in business. 

Most professionals miss the mark.

Here’s the truth: most business presenters focus too much on themselves: their content, their data, their message. They open with background or context, launch straight into what they want to say, and hope the audience follows along. The truth: that’s not how persuasion works. As I teach in my courses, persuasive presenters do the opposite. 

They start by stepping into the audience’s shoes. They ask: 

  • What does my audience already believe? 
  • What are they feeling right now? 
  • What do they care about? 
  • What do they need to hear in order to feel interested enough to listen, and then act? 

That’s empathy. And it’s not fluffy or soft. It’s strategic. 

Why empathy works

Neuroscience tells us that decisions are made emotionally first—then justified with logic. So if you want your audience to say “yes” to your ideas, you must first make them feel seen, heard, and understood. In other words, before you try to shift their thinking, you must connect with where they are now. 

This is where my 13-step Persuasion Blueprint comes in. It’s a practical, step-by-step method I teach in my presentation skills training online, designed to help you tailor every message to your audience’s mindset. When you start with empathy, structure your message for influence, and speak with clarity and confidence—you win hearts and minds. 

How to apply empathy in your next presentation

How do you do it? 

  • Get clear on your audience’s current state. What are they worried about? What’s in it for them? What might be causing resistance? 
  • Open with a “You-focused” hook. Instead of “Today I want to talk to you about the Q3 pipeline,” try “You’ve got limited resources, tighter timelines, and a leadership team that wants fast results.” 
  • Acknowledge their pain or concerns. If there’s tension or change in the air, name it. “I know this project has had a rocky start.” That builds trust. 
  • Frame your message around their priorities. This is not about dumbing things down. It’s about framing ideas in a way that makes them care. 
  • Use inclusive, respectful language. Say “you,” “we,” and “together” more than “I,” “me,” or “my view.” This approach works whether you’re in the room or presenting virtually. 

Real results from real people

The reason I’m so passionate about teaching empathy in presentations is simple: it works. 

One of my clients, a senior leader in financial services, once told me, “Michelle, I used your Persuasion Blueprint structure in a pitch to the board and got the budget approved within 10 minutes. They even thanked me for how clear and easy it was.” 

Another client emailed to say, “I used to dread presenting. Now I love it because I finally know how to connect with people properly at the start.” 

It’s not magic. It’s technique. And you can learn it. 

Ready to present more persuasively?

If you’re tired of blank stares, slow decisions, or people just not getting what you’re saying, empathy is your shortcut to better outcomes. In my training & courses, I’ll show you how to structure your messages for impact, connect with any audience, and speak with power, polish, and persuasion. 

Because when you present with empathy, you don’t just inform. You inspire. You influence. You make things happen. 

Happy Presenting! 

Author: MICHELLE BOWDEN is an authority on persuasive presenting in business. She’s run her Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 1,000 times for more than 13,000 people over the past 26 years, and her name is a synonym for ‘presentation skills’ in Australia. She’s the best-selling, internationally published author of How to Present: the ultimate guide to presenting live and online (Wiley). Visit www.michellebowden.com.au. 

Michelle Bowden

Ready to present more persuasively?

A1 Slides is a company with 15 years of experience designing presentations for over 1000 clients in 50+ industries, including major brands like Honda, Nokia, and Abbott. We specialize in creating strategic presentations that do more than just look good—they achieve your business objectives. Contact us to start the conversation.

Contact us to start the conversation.

Related Post

View More